Since the start of free agency on June 30, Lauri Markkanen, the star forward for the Jazz, has been at the center of trade discussions throughout the NBA. By some accounts, however, given his complex contract extension situation, it appears the Jazz have decided to wait before deciding if they’re willing to part ways with him at this time. From the outside, most analysts would agree that it makes the most sense to trade him at the trade deadline next February than it does now.
Several teams have shown interest in trading for Markkanen. The Golden State Warriors have reportedly made a substantial offer. Additionally, it had been reported that the San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, and Miami Heat are also interested in acquiring him.
On Monday, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that the Spurs showed “a willingness to part with multiple first-round picks, as well as Keldon Johnson, in a potential deal for Markkanen, sources said, yet San Antonio still believes in the 24-year-old wing’s development.”
Johnson has been working with Aaron Miller, an elite skills coach who has worked with several NBA All-Stars to help them elevate their game. One of the areas he has been working diligently on improving has been his catch-and-shoot three-point accuracy.
It’s not the first time Johnson’s name has come up in trade rumors recently but from all accounts, he has kept his head down and focused on improving and controlling what he can.
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A trade involving Markkanen would shift the NBA landscape without a doubt, but several teams have reportedly become frustrated with Utah’s handling of the “sweepstake” negotiations while others have walked away and refused to pay the price that Danny Ainge, the CEO of Utah Jazz Basketball has reportedly been asking for his star forward.
Reports from insiders from around the league say the Jazz have not received an offer that meets their high demands and that they would only consider trading him if they received an exceptional offer that includes multiple high-value draft picks and young players.
The Warriors, in particular, had been more aggressive in trying to land Markkanen to help “return to the mountaintop,” as G.M. Mike Dunleavy describes it, but even they appear unwilling to part with the young players the Jazz have reportedly asked for. “We have to be reasonable. We can’t do bad deals, we can’t chase things,” explained Dunleavy while attending the recent NBA Summer League. “The good news for us is we got really good assets that enabled us to get in all the conversations to improve this team, but you can’t lose sight of improving from within.”
Perhaps that’s what the Spurs have decided to do as well. San Antonio still has options and roster decisions to make, but they do not appear to be in any sort of hurry to rush into anything. The Spurs are also the most tight-lipped about potential moves so they won’t- or perhaps can’t- confirm these kinds of reports.
“It’s hard to talk about hypotheticals and things that don’t go your way,” explains Dunleavy. “The league has rules but it’s exciting for me to be able to pick up the phone and have those conversations.”
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